TRUE LUNA: DANCING IN FLAMES OF THREE

Chapter 10

Isaac's POV

Since the Alpha instructed to make arrangements for the rite, I had greatly feared the outcome. He was strong and smart, but Rune drove him insane in a way I wasn't sure he knew. He had always pushed his luck and had succeeded in the end, save for the last time.

Thankfully, I wouldn't have known for sure how it'd end if Rune hadn't shown up. She was very different from the first time we met her as well as from the last visit to Theo.

However, I didn't expect her to be that different. To dare challenge everyone who struck the Alpha including the very brutal Luca. Her protectiveness and strength far surpassed my expectations—I just watched in bewilderment.

It wasn't until her eyes glowed… until she took every single elder down in seconds, and came out of it without a scratch that I knew something was off about her. Her eyes returned to normal almost as if they never changed, but I was sure of what I saw. Too sure to have a long discussion with Freya concerning it.

“The protectiveness might come from the rite,” she suggested. “If everything Alaric has been doing is to ward off her mate, it might have had some reverse effect which would make both of them attracted to each other.”

“I doubt that” I pondered looking out through the window of the library. “It wasn't stated in the repercussions and repercussions either exist or they don't."

“You're saying if it weren't stated, that means it doesn't exist?” She stepped closer beside me, furrowing her brows in worry.

I nodded.

“Then there is no other explanation. Although…” she trailed off, gazing into the space.

“What?”

“I asked her what it was about.”

“And?”

“From her explanation, I think she's still traumatised by her parents’ death and she vowed not to let herself witness such events again. A trauma like hers can evoke such a reaction and we tend to forget that she comes from a royal bloodline. Her strength would also be unique.”

I sighed.

I didn't think that was enough explanation and I knew she was aware of it too. Since there were no better ones yet, I decided to go with it without question, especially because it came from Rune herself.

“Figured out how she triggered his healing yet?”

She shook her head, shoulders slumping in defeat. This was the very first time Freya had no explanation for the cause of an event.

Aside from being the pack's healer, she was a historian who immersed herself in studying different events, causes and outcomes. She was like a sage in the pack, yet, Rune had proven to be the one thing she failed to understand.

“I don't think she knows either. She barely understands all of these, generally,” she folded her arms and took a deep breath.

“She's certainly… something,” I muttered, mind racing through possible explanations and gaze still fixed out the window.

This was what terrified me. I wasn't sure Alaric knew any of this about her before deciding to perform the rites. Worse. With how powerful she had proven herself to be, what would she do when she found out that she had saved the man who had hurt her without meaning to?

“About the elders… what are they saying?”

“Nothing yet. However, we have a meeting shortly and they want to hear how the Alpha is doing from you,” I sighed, gauging everything that could happen in that hall.

Perhaps, my composure gave it out that I was beyond worried because Freya gently patted my back.

“You've got this, Isaac. Alaric would always choose you as his Beta because you always have.”

I couldn't help but smile. Even her kind words brought some form of calm I was grateful for. Which was why I stretched my neck, then exhaled before smirking.

“Then let's be on our way.”

She mirrored my expression and newly found strength before following me.

I had barely walked halfway through the room before Luca rose to his feet. The look in his eyes still held fury and embarrassment from last night, which was somewhat ironic—his Alpha was recovering and he was worried about his perfectly crushed reputation. Not that I blamed him though.

“How is it possible that she is still in our pack?!” He yelled. “You saw what sort of mad dog she is yet you even go as far as letting her stay in the same room as our Alpha?”

His accusation caused murmuring to erupt from the small crowd.

“Yes, Isaac. Is the Alpha safe enough to be left in her presence? She doesn't belong to the pack and it's ridiculous you'd let a total stranger whom you just met once in that situation watch over the Alpha,” one of the elders retorted.

‘I think he has lost his mind.’

‘Is he even a worthy Beta?’

Everyone was speaking.

Curses, accusations, defaming words, they kept coming one after another. It was clear that Luca arranged for this beforehand because I refused to defend him in the challenge.

He stood, smirking and raising a brow at me. He gave the ‘what will you do now?’ look which proved that he was clearly enjoying it.

“Enough!” I snapped them shut. “The Alpha is safe and that's all that matters.”

“Even if he is now? How long is that going to be with the stranger there?” One asked. The first to sound genuinely worried and curious.

“She won't hurt him. She is the daughter of the late Alpha of the Nightshade pack, princess and sister to Alpha Theo. She is only here to help.”

The room fell silent in an instant save for Luca who was displeased by having Rune win against him.

“How do you know that? That thing is vile—”

“That thing beat your ass over and over in a fair fight and I'm sure your loss embarrasses you, but think about it. You don't want a repeat of it do you?” I arched a brow at him. “She finds out that you're talking about her in that manner and comes after you, do you really think you can stand a challenge against her again?”

Now he was mortified. He swallowed hard and buried his gaze in shame before sitting down.

“I know you all are curious and worried at the same time, that's why I've brought Freya, the pack's healer, with me as you all demanded. Hear from the horse's mouth and feed your curiosity. As for Rune. She stays—”

“Nonsense, Isaac!” Luca spat. “You're way too smart to make such a mistake. She'll leave the Alpha's side and she'll leave the pack as well!”

“Luca,” I called through gritted teeth, burying the urge to shove him through the window and preserve the peace of this meeting. “Keep your mouth shut.”

He got the message behind my words and sat down reluctantly. I gestured for Freya to step in front of me to explain Alaric's condition to them.

She assured them that he was fine and that he was improving at a quick rate. However, she said something she hadn't told me throughout our private discussion.

“Rune can't leave at the moment, because she is the miracle behind this.”

I turned to look at her. Yes, I knew she triggered his healing, but the gleam of hope in her eyes said more. Like Alaric would be back to us soon if she stayed with him longer.